Loudest cheering came from congressional women — for themselves

STATE OF THE WHITE-CLAD SPECTACLE

During the State of the Union Speech by President Donald Trump on Tuesday night, a group of Democrat women wore white in protest, and sat mostly wooden during much of the hour-long oratory.

They rose to cheer World War II heroes present who had landed in Europe on D-Day to secure freedom, at great personal cost. They applauded astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who once walked on the moon, one of the first two to do so (with Neil Armstrong). They encouraged the little girl who has endured chemotherapy. They supported the felon who Trump released from prison. They applauded record low unemployment, especially for African-Americans.

However, they saved their biggest cheers for themselves.

When Trump highlighted the achievements of women, and said that Congress has never had so many women serving, the women rose to their feet, clapped, pumped the air with their fists, and congratulated each other for what was close to a minute.

They were thrilled with his recognition of their mighty achievement of running and winning office, and they welcomed the praise from a president whom they openly loathe. The House now has more than 100 women in office, 90 of which are Democrats.

Even Rep. Alexandria O. Cortez, a socialist, was seen smiling with her white-clad colleagues during that moment of self-congratulations, while during most of the speech her eyes remained steely and her hands remained quiet.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi twisted her face throughout the speech, a visible distraction on camera, as she sat behind the president. Republicans everywhere noticed her struggle to contain herself.

Even Sen. Kamala Harris of California, now a presidential candidate, appeared pained, shaking her head when the president spoke about immigration and border security.